Legislators recognized by EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized two local legislators - state Sen. Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge) and state Rep. John Fernandes (D-Milford) - for introducing legislation to reduce phosphorous in fertilizers.

By Mike Gleason/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

By Mike Gleason/Daily News staff

Posted Jun. 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 28, 2013 at 4:44 AM

By Mike Gleason/Daily News staff

Posted Jun. 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 28, 2013 at 4:44 AM

» Social News

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized two local legislators - state Sen. Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge) and state Rep. John Fernandes (D-Milford) - for introducing legislation to reduce phosphorous in fertilizers.

The legislators were among 28 New England recipients of the agency's Environmental Merit Awards, given out in a ceremony Wednesday.

Fernandes said the news that the two had received the award came as a surprise.

"It was certainly very nice of them to do," he said. "It was quite impressive to be in a room with 20 to 30 people who had done some special things - to be recognized with them was quite humbling."

Moore said he was pleased to receive the award, but getting key legislation passed was the more crucial thing.

"It's nice to get an award, but more important than the award is doing something important," he said. "This does help the people that John and I try to serve."

Fernandes said the legislation came about as an effort to comply with the EPA's new stormwater regulations, which aim to protect rivers by limiting runoff, that can contain phosphorous and other chemicals. The regulations, aimed to reduce runoff by 50 to 60 percent, are projected to be quite costly.

"By the EPA's own estimates, the cost for just the infrastructure could have been as much as $80 million for Milford or $75 million for Franklin," he said.

Fernandes said he and Moore recognized that asking municipalities and businesses to absorb this cost could have drastic consequences.

Moore said the solution introduced in the legislation aimed to ameliorate that problem.

"In hearings that Rep. Fernandes and I attended in Milford, this was suggested by the EPA as one of the ways to make it more affordable," he said. "This will significantly reduce - by about a third - the cost of complying with the EPA's stormwater mandate."

According to Fernandes, the Legislature took care to avoid negative impacts to farmers.

"There are carveouts for agriculture," he said. "We had everybody at the table, because we don't want to hurt anyone."

Moore said new technology may help as well.

"I also understand that the Scotts Company is planning to introduce a phosphorous-free fertilizer," he said.

The legislation was signed by Gov. Deval Patrick, and will take effect this year. The state departments of Environmental Protection and Agricultural Resources are currently writing regulations based on the law, Moore said.